Order of Service / Transfiguration Sunday / February 11, 2024

 *Gathering Hymn Joyful, Joyful We Adore You (#232 VU)

Welcome

Lighting the Christ Candle

Call to Worship

One: Jesus went to the mountain and was changed.

  All: But change is hard for us.

One: You call us, O God, to change our lives.

All: But change is hard for us.

One: You call us, O God, to change our hearts.

All: But change is hard for us.

One: You call us, O God, to change our thinking.

All: But change is hard for us.

One: Open our lives, our hearts, our thinking,

All: Open us, O God, to your loving changes.

*Celebrate God’s Presence, page 42.

Opening Prayer (Unison)

Creator God, whose love is higher than the heavens! Righteous God, whose love extends from the mountains and seas to every living thing! You take us under your wing, loving God, where we find refuge. You give us hope and possibility for the journey. You transform our lives with your compassion. May your love flow in us and through us, for now and for eternity. Amen.

*Glad Faith Klassen. Gathering ACE 2023-/2024, page 51.

*Opening Hymn How Good, Lord, to Be Here (#103 VU)

Prayer of Confessional and Renewal (Unison)

Merciful God, as we come to fully know you and your love, we also come with a sense of guilt, for we have not always loved as you love us. We have ignored moments of potential and searched for failure. Sometimes we have moved away from love and been drawn in by hate. We have forgotten how much you love us and have been swallowed by self-loathing. Forgive our foolish ways. Once again, draw us deeper into your love and bring us to wholeness and life in your love. (a time of silent confession) Amen.

*Heather McClure. Gathering ACE 2023/2024, page 51.

Words of Assurance

One: The Good News is for us all.

  All: The wonder of God’s love is forgiveness for all, over and over again. The wonder of God’s forgiveness is the opportunity for all of us to have a fresh start, ready to share the wonderful love and forgiveness of God. Thanks be to God. Amen.

*Heather McClure. Gathering ACE 2023/2024, page 51.

Announcements and Minute for Mission

Time for God’s Children (I’ve Got Peace like a River,VU577)

I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river,

I’ve got peace like a river in-a my soul.

Prayer for Illumination

Proclaiming the Scriptures

2 Corinthians 4:3-6 The light of knowledge shines in our hearts.

Psalm 50:1-6 (VU 775) God summons the earth

Mark 9:2-9 The Transfiguration of Jesus.

This is the Good News from the Bible.

  Thanks be to God.

Anthem

Sermon

*Hymn We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding (#104 VU)

*Offering

*Offertory Hymn (#540 VU | Grant Us, God, the Grace)

Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free,

That ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully.

*Offertory Prayer (Unison)

Generous God, transform what we offer this morning for your work in this world. Transfigure us in our giving that we might know your joyful Spirit through the spiritual practice of committed offerings. Inspire us to live into your abundance in Jesus’ strong name. Amen.

*Gord Dunbar.Gathering ACE 2023/2024.  page 51.

Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer

*Closing Hymn I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me (#575 VU)

*Commissioning

One: The light of Love has come to you this day.

  All: We will let it shine in our lives.

One: The voice of Love has been experienced here this day.

  All: We will open our lives to receive it each day.

One: The Christ has been present on this mountain.

  All: We will travel with Christ wherever our journeys may lead.

One: May the light of Christ, the voice of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit inspire and transform us to live out hope and peace forever and ever. Amen.

*Robin Wardlaw. Gathering ACE 2022/2023. page 54.

*Commissioning Song May God’s Sheltering Wings (#214 MV)

May God’s sheltering wings, her gathering wings protect you,

May God’s nurturing arms, her cradling arms sustain you,

And hold you in her love, and hold you in her love.

 

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